Seafarer transfer operations, as a vital aspect of maritime safety, will be affected by new changes that will be implemented in 2028. These changes introduce mandatory performance standards for seafarer transfer arrangements, and some existing equipment may require physical modifications. Maritime companies must quickly review their arrangements.
Safety Concerns Related to Seafarer Ladders
According to repeated reports from the International Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA), safety concerns regarding seafarer ladders continue. Recent safety campaigns revealed that in 2026, 4,051 observations of seafarers were recorded in 34 countries, with an overall non-compliance rate of 13 percent. Despite this slight improvement, IMPA has not observed any significant changes in the historical trend of non-compliance.
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More than half of the non-compliance cases were related to seafarer ladders, and access to the deck, safety equipment, and combined arrangements are also recurring concerns. Common deficiencies include improper recovery lines, ladders not secured to strong points, and lack of life rings.
Increase in Deficiencies in Government Controls
Findings from government controls in ports also reflect this situation. In the August 2025 safety bulletin, the Tokyo MOU reported that deficiencies related to seafarer transfer arrangements increased from 197 in 2020 to 523 in 2024. Additionally, the number of detentions rose from one case to twelve. Recurring issues included unsafe seafarer ladders and accommodation ladders, inadequate provision of locked stations, and neglect of ladder maintenance.
Incidents related to seafarer transfer arrangements have resulted in fatalities and serious injuries, and the risks of these incidents are not limited to the seafarers using them. Crew members responsible for preparing and installing arrangements may also be exposed to serious hazards.
Research conducted by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) shows that many incidents involve falls and injuries resulting from seafarer transfer operations. One such case involved a seafarer falling from a height of approximately three meters onto a seafarer boat, resulting in an ankle fracture due to lack of access to a suitable station.
In October 2025, a seafarer preparing a seafarer ladder while working fell into the sea and lost his life. MAIB investigations revealed that the seafarer ladder was not usable, and crew members routinely lowered the ladder manually close to the edge of the deck without safety barriers, a dangerous practice that had become normal.
New Measures from 2028
In June 2025, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted revised SOLAS regulations and new performance standards for seafarer transfer arrangements, which will come into effect on January 1, 2028. These standards address the design, installation, maintenance, and safe use of seafarer transfer arrangements and also apply to existing arrangements.
Key timelines for these changes are as follows:
- New arrangements: Seafarer transfer arrangements installed from January 1, 2028, must comply with the new requirements for design, production, construction, supply, and installation.
- Existing arrangements: Arrangements installed before January 1, 2028, must comply with the requirements by the first inspection after this date.
- All arrangements: Requirements regarding inspection, maintenance, and replacement will come into effect from January 1, 2028.
Compliance with these requirements may necessitate physical modifications to existing seafarer transfer arrangements. For example, there is a need to provide strong points and mark and document them, as well as specific requirements for access to the deck.
Maritime companies should begin planning now. Key actions include assessing existing arrangements and identifying non-compliance points, planning for necessary modifications, and reviewing the ship's safety management system.
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